Mother and son arrested after cutting off dog's ears

A South Carolina mother and son have been arrested after police say they cut off their dog's ears with scissors.

Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office charged Myrtle McGee, 57, and Scotty Tyler, 37, with ill treatment of an animal on Wednesday after police say they used household scissors in the at-home procedure early this month.

Authorities put the pitbull, named Brisk, into the care of Valiant Animal Rescue.

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10 of the world's 'cruelest' travel attractions

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Mother and son arrested after cutting off dog's ears

Number 10. Elephant rides. The animals aren't naturally amenable to performing the service, so getting them to do so involves a long process marked by both physical and mental abuse.

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Number 9. Snapping selfies with tigers. The cubs typically used for photo ops tend to have been separated from their mothers far too early and are often kept in dismal and uncomfortable environments.

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Number 8. Walking among lions. The animals are born to rule the wild, but after completing training for this activity, most are unable to even live in it.

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Number 7. Bear parks. Often characterized by stark environments and overcrowding, the animals within the confines are prone to becoming violent towards one another.

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Number 6. Sea turtle snuggling. If offered an opportunity to hold onto one of the creatures, the best answer is no, thank you. They're incredibly shy and being handled causes them significant anxiety.

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Number 5. Dolphin shows. Though the pools the sea animals perform in look large by human standards, they're insufficient for dolphins. Further, the often chemical-treated water can damage their eyes and skin.

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Number 4. Performing monkeys. Researchers found that macaques are in particular peril due to their popularity in Thailand. When not entertaining a crowd, the animals are often kept in chains to prevent runaways.

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Number 3. Civet coffee plantation tours. The civets kept at them are typically overfed coffee cherries. That, combined with generally poor living conditions, can result in malnourishment and stress.

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Number 2. Cobra dancing. The snakes pack a powerful venom, and their bite can have fatal consequences. Those who perform with the reptiles often defang the creatures as a cautionary measure. Tools used tend to be unsanitary and can result in snakes contracting serious infections.

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Number 1. Crocodile farm visits. No doubt, crocodiles are far easier to observe when they're contained, but too often the sizes of their environments are woefully small. Those living in tight, overpopulated quarters have been known to attack and even kill one another.